What is Lupus Nephritis and Why Is It More Common in Blacks?

Systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, is a condition that can affect the skin, joints, and organ systems in the body. It occurs as a...

What is Lupus?

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood cells. In lupus, the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from infections and foreign invaders, becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissues and organs.

Symptoms of lupus can vary widely and may include joint pain and swelling, skin rashes (often a characteristic “butterfly” rash on the face), fatigue, fever, sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, and a range of other symptoms. The severity of lupus can also vary, with some people experiencing mild symptoms while others have more severe and potentially life-threatening complications.

What Black Women Should Know

Lupus can be a debilitating disease. With lupus, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs. These attacks produce symptoms such as inflammation in the body, rash, hair loss, skin discoloration, swelling, and pain.

Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data, the Lupus Foundation estimates that there are nearly 16,000 new cases of lupus per year1. Anyone can develop lupus. However, women between the ages of 15-44 make up 90% of lupus cases1.

African American women and women of color are the most likely to be diagnosed with some form of lupus1. For African American women, lupus is more common and starts developing at a younger age2.

African American Women and Lupus: The Most Diagnosed and More Likely to Die Prematurely

May is Lupus Awareness Month, and nearly 1.5 million Americans are living with some form of lupus (lupus erythematosus) – a chronic, genetic autoimmune...

What is Lupus Nephritis and Why Is It More Common in Blacks?

Systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, is a condition that can affect the skin, joints, and organ systems in the body. It occurs as a...

All About Lupus: Understanding the Basics

According to the Lupus Foundation of America at least 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus. There are several different types of lupus including...

Living With Lupus

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